Oneida County elections 2022: Who is on the ballot for Oneida County clerk
Residents will have the opportunity to name a new Oneida County clerk when they cast their ballots on Election Day, Nov. 8, or through early voting, available from Oct. 29 through Nov. 6.
Mary Finegan, a Republican, and Merima Smajic-Oren, a Democrat, are running for Oneida County clerk after Sandra J. DePerno officially announced her retirement in late 2021. DePerno, whose term in office expires Dec. 31, was elected in 2006.
Here's what the candidates had to say about their decisions to run for the position, the biggest issues facing Oneida County and what they believe makes them best suited for the job.
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The candidates are listed in alphabetical order and were given the same three questions. Their responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Mary Finegan, Republican
I am the youngest of seven, born and raised in, and a life-long resident of, Oneida County. My father was a World War II veteran and my 95-year-old mom remains the backbone of our family. For the last 17 years, I’ve served as the elected town clerk for the town of Whitestown which is the county’s second most populated town.
During my tenure I have modernized records management, streamlined the FOIL process, and insured exemplary customer service to our citizens.
I would be honored to serve as the next Oneida County clerk and will use my years of clerical experience to modernize the DMV and reduce wait times, improve records management and provide excellent service to those utilizing the services of the county clerk. I will make all decisions based on one basic pledge: to deliver the highest quality service at the most efficient cost to taxpayers. I will also produce a culture of employee engagement that supports talent development and advancement.
Why did you decide to run for Oneida County clerk?
I chose to run for Oneida County clerk because I saw a need for revitalization and modernization of the county clerk’s office and the DMV, and I know I have the managerial experience to accomplish this. The DMV has struggled to operate, with office closures, long lines, overworked employees, and disgruntled users.
As a town clerk, I have successfully solved similar logistical problems. I have made customer service my number one priority. My staff will work as a team to revitalize and modernize not only the DMV but other departments under the supervision of the county clerk. I have done this for Whitestown and I will do this for Oneida County, utilizing the managerial, budgetary, and customer service knowledge gained from years of experience.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the county and what can you do about it as clerk?
Similar to most other communities, the economy and public safety are obviously the biggest issues facing the county. I would use my status as an elected official to advocate for policies that increase economic opportunities, lower taxes and make our streets safer. The biggest issue facing the county clerk’s office is the proper staffing and operation of its DMV offices. I recently “reached across the aisle” to assist the current county clerk in finding a way to re-open the Rome DMV full-time. If elected, I will continue to work collaboratively with county officials to make our DMV office one to be proud of.
Why do you think you should win the election?
My years as town clerk make me the only candidate with experience running a clerk’s office. I have prepared budgets, supervised staff and provided direct service to the public. Quite frankly, there is a tremendous amount of work to do to rebuild public confidence in the Oneida County Clerk’s Office. The county clerk’s office is the public face for county government and, for years, has not lived up to expectations.
Merima Smajic-Oren, Democrat
I came to America from Bosnia when I was 4. I’ve lived in the Cornhill section of Utica my entire life, leaving only to attend Albany Law School. I’m also a graduate of Utica’s public schools, Mohawk Valley Community College and Utica College.
I became a citizen of the United States, the right way. I worked hard, obeyed every law and squandered no opportunity this nation has given me.
Becoming a lawyer is the proudest day of my life. I’m also a real estate broker who never abandoned my neighborhood but instead stuck it out and invested in it. I was born in a town less than two hours from Srebrenica, the place where 8,000 defenseless men and boys were put to death. I know what happens when good people sit by and do nothing. I’m not made that way, that’s why I became a lawyer. So I could stand up and fight when government is not for its people.
Why did you decide to run for Oneida County clerk?
This is a job I know I can do. As a lawyer and real estate professional, I’ve been working with the county clerk’s office my entire career.
As an attorney who practices in state Supreme Court, I fully understand the clerk’s responsibilities to New York’s most important trial court.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the county and what can you do about it as clerk?
The most urgent issue facing the county clerk’s office is the Department of Motor Vehicles in general and the Rome DMV in particular. I was able to get the Rome DMV back open by lobbying for it before the county legislature three times, while my opponent did not.
I do not believe that the county executive intends to keep the Rome DMV open once this election is over.
As clerk, I’m an independently elected county official. I’ll use my abilities and position to the fullest extent possible to keep it open.
Why do you think you should win the election?
My opponent says she’s the only candidate with clerk’s experience, which is not true. The truth is that she’s the only candidate with a clerk’s title when I am the lawyer. In short, I draft the documents that the clerk files. My opponent cannot do that because she is not a lawyer.
There is no relationship between her duties as a town clerk and the responsibilities of the county clerk. She handles dog licenses and parking permits, none of which come under the county clerk.
I’ve handled deeds, mortgages and Supreme Court lawsuits, all of which go through the county clerk. My profession requires me to be working with the county clerk’s office day in and day out. My opponent has no such experience.
My opponent is [Oneida County Executive] Tony Picente’s puppet and she’ll remain Picente’s puppet if elected. The state constitution requires that it be an independently elected position accountable only to the people.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Election 2022: Q&A with Oneida County clerk candidates
